If you own something then you can also use it in any way I like. If you own a chair,
you can set fire to it, which I couldn't do if I had borrowed it from you. If
you
own money, you can spend it any way you choose (unlike when you borrow it from a
bank).

Another form of ownership is where you are the gatekeeper to something that
is desired. Bouncers at night clubs and company receptionists are gatekeepers to
entire organizations. Personal assistants control access to the managers they
serve. Librarians control access to knowledge.

Knowledge is power, as they say. If you know something, then you can use it to
your
advantage. Knowledge may come in several forms, including:

Know-what: Factual knowledge is knowledge of simple facts. It is
the power of academics and librarians.

Know-how: Technical knowledge is knowing how things work. It is the power of
experts and engineers.

Know-who: Social knowledge is knowing things about people and
people you can use. This may include
secrets that could be used for
blackmail. It is the power of relaters and other 'social animals'.

The degree of power that a knowledge user has depends even more than other
forms of power on a supply and demand situation. If nobody wants the knowledge
or cares about it, then there is little power. But if the world is being invaded
by aliens and I know how to repel them, I can demand a high price for my
services.

Skill is closely related to knowledge, but is the ability to do something
rather than just know it.

As with knowledge, there is technical skill and social skill. Engineers have
technical skills. Sales people have social skills, which include the ability to
communicate and the ability to persuade others.

I am the only person who can decide what I say and do. As such I have power,
which can be much greater than is suspected. I can, for example, always choose
to say no and to walk out. This is of course, the basic power of Trade Unions.

So what?

So use these categories as a checklist to determine what forms of power you
and others have available. It is a common mistake to assume you are
powerless or have less power than the other person.